Sd.Kfz.234/2

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This page is about the German light tank Sd.Kfz.234/2. For other versions, see Sd.Kfz.234 (Family).
Sd.Kfz.234/2
germ_sdkfz_234_2.png
GarageImage Sd.Kfz.234 2.jpg
ArtImage Sd.Kfz.234-2.png
Sd.Kfz.234/2
AB RB SB
2.7 3.3 3.3
Class:
Research:11 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:22 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The s.Pz.Sp.Wg. (5 cm 39/1 L60) Sd.Kfz.234/2 is the first production variant and most well-known version of the Sd.Kfz.234 family, a heavy armoured car used mainly as a reconnaissance vehicle, featuring the turret of the prototype VK 16.02 Leopard housing a 50 mm KwK 39 cannon next to an MG42 machine gun. The Sd.Kfz 234 series were primarily built as a further improvement to Germany's reconnaissance vehicles after learning of the effectiveness of said type of vehicle with combat reports of the Sd.Kfz. series 231/232/233.

It was introduced in Update 1.69 "Regia Aeronautica". A respectable armoured car, the Sd.Kfz.234/2 presents great speed and a significant 50 mm KwK39/1 cannon. Due to its status as a light tank, and thus having the ability to scout, it should put more emphasis on its speed to put itself in an advantageous position to sight targets for allies, with its gun only for emergencies should an enemy vehicle try to get an upper hand on the vehicle.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull30 / 8 / 10
Turret30 / 14 / 14
Crew4 people
Visibility84 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet, Vision ports)
  • Wheel (Tires)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 30 mm (40°) Front plate
15 mm (70°), 30 mm (55°) Front glacis
30 mm (35°) Lower glacis
8 mm (34-35°) Top
8 (10-35°) + 4 mm
10 mm (21°) Upper glacis
10 mm + 10 mm (46°) Lower glacis
15 (20°) Driver compartment
5 mm Crew & engine compartments
Turret 30 mm (20°) Turret front
30 + 50 mm (conical) Gun mantlet
14.5 mm (24-25°) 14.5 mm (25°)
8 mm (22°) Pistol port
8 mm

Notes:

  • Torsion bars and wheels are 10 mm thick.
  • Belly armour is 12.7 mm thick.
  • Mudguards and storage boxes are 4 mm thick.
  • Vision ports on car body are 10 mm thick.

Mobility

Reverse gearbox
Forward and backward movement is possible at the same maximum speed
Speedforward / back
AB100 / 100 km/h
RB and SB90 / 90 km/h
Number of gears7 forward
7 back
Weight11.7 t
Engine power
AB401 hp
RB and SB210 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB34.3 hp/t
RB and SB17.9 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 100 100 11.7 325 401 27.78 34.27
Realistic 90 90 186 210 15.9 17.95

The Puma can reach a speed of around 45 km/h on flat terrain. Thanks to its transmission, it can drive in reverse with the same speed and manoeuvrability. Due to its wheeled design, it struggles in sand, snow, and mud. It is also hard to keep going straight in a line at high speeds. The game does offer some degree of compensation for this via the "Activate Cruise Mode" control binding under the "Tank Driving" subsection. When using Cruise Mode, hold down the desired key you bound its activation to, and steer with mouse movements, this allows pinpoint steering while retaining speed. However, you cannot shoot while using Cruise Mode, so use it wisely.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB559 → 811 Sl icon.png
RB656 → 952 Sl icon.png
SB800 → 1 161 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications10 390 Rp icon.png
13 710 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost750 Ge icon.png
Crew training6 300 Sl icon.png
Experts22 000 Sl icon.png
Aces210 Ge icon.png
Research Aces220 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
40 / 60 / 70 % Sl icon.png
124 / 124 / 124 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new wheels.png
Tires
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
690 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods new car suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
470 Rp icon.png
Cost:
620 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
470 Rp icon.png
Cost:
620 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
690 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
840 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 100 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
840 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 100 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
690 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
470 Rp icon.png
Cost:
620 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement ger.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
690 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
690 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
50mm_kwk_38_39_APCR1_ammo_pack
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
690 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
470 Rp icon.png
Cost:
620 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods airstrike.png
Airstrike
Research:
470 Rp icon.png
Cost:
620 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
690 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
50mm_kwk_38_39_APCR2_ammo_pack
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
690 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
690 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
840 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 100 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods scouting.png
Improved optics
Research:
840 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 100 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

Ammunition55 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
4.8 → 3.7 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 20°
Main article: KwK.39/1 (50 mm)

The Puma fields the 50 mm KwK39/1 cannon, similar to the one in the late Panzer III models, as well as the same ammunition. The cannon was designed for an anti-tank role, and it does its job well. It can select from an APC shell penetrating 106 mm, which should be the main round, two APCR shells with 130 mm and 137 mm penetration respectively (a few of the better ones should be carried into battle, especially if you uptier the Puma, so it might see KV-1s, as well for long-range sniping), and an HE shell which can be used against AA trucks. As the APC shell has no ballistic cap, it might struggle against angled armour, so it is best to go for side shots. With a reload of 4.1 seconds and high velocity shells, this tank can do the job both in close quarters and at long range.

50 mm KwK.39/1 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 55 -10°/+20° ±180° N/A 13.3 18.4 22.4 24.8 26.4 4.81 4.25 3.92 3.70
Realistic 8.3 9.8 11.9 13.2 14.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
PzGr 39 APC 106 101 83 65 50 39
PzGr 40/1 APCR 130 121 90 62 43 29
PzGr 40 APCR 137 126 88 56 36 23
Sprgr. 38 HE 12 11 9 7 6 5
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
PzGr 39 APC 835 2.05 1.2 9 28.9 48° 63° 71°
PzGr 40/1 APCR 1,130 1.07 - - - 66° 70° 72°
PzGr 40 APCR 1,180 0.9 - - - 66° 70° 72°
Sprgr. 38 HE 870 1.82 0.4 0.1 217.6 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
7th
rack empty
8th
rack empty
9th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
55 33 (+22) 29 (+26) 25 (+30) 21 (+34) 17 (+38) 13 (+42) (+46) (+50) (+54) No
Ammo racks of the Sd.Kfz.234/2

Machine guns

Ammunition1 950 rounds
Belt capacity150 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate1 200 shots/min
Main article: MG42 (7.92 mm)

The Puma has a coaxial MG42 that can't penetrate the weakest tank armour and is only useful against exposed crew members.

7.92 mm MG42
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 1,950 (150) 1,200 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

The Puma adopts a lot of typical light tank tactics. To play this vehicle well, you must shoot and scoot. Your fast reload times with a very fast reverse speed makes it ideal for firing around a corner, then backing up and flanking. The tank is very fast on the road; however, it has poor performance off-road, so it is not recommended on desert maps and muddy maps where you can get slowed down by the terrain. Since you have weak armour and a compact crew module, penetrative shots typically result in your destruction. It is advised to not brawl with tanks and to flank whenever possible, using your speed and mobility versus enemy tanks as your armour. Use the terrain to your advantage, firing over hills and making good use of your gun depression. Sidescrape corners and do not hold angles, as you will most likely be destroyed.

The tank's speed in combination with its low spawn cost in RB as a light tank makes it ideal to spawn in at the start of the game and capture the objective in 2 or 3 point domination. This guarantees you spawn points for a respawn and gives you opportunities to flank the enemy.

The real beauty of the Puma is its ability to flank around different parts of the map rapidly. It is extremely manoeuvrable and can traverse most types of terrain very quickly (avoid mud). You should take up a covert playstyle with this vehicle. Even if you see an enemy, you should only fire at the perfect moment, where you are guaranteed a score. This especially applies to T-34s and KV-1s, where hits to the side or rear are far more effective. This being said, the 5 cm gun is a great gun. It is easy to use, high velocity, accurate and has a good range of ammunition.

Notable enemies you will meet are the T-34 (1942) and M4 Sherman, along with armoured tanks like the Churchill I, Matilda III, Valentine XI, and the KV-1 (L-11) These tanks are difficult to penetrate and require advanced knowledge of weak spots, so it is advised to avoid these where possible. Medium tanks are easier to combat if flanked; however, it is not always reliable due to the weak penetration of the PzGr 39 and the poor penetration of sloped armour for PzGr 40.

Out of all the enemies you will meet, the T-34s are probably the biggest threat. The sloped armour is difficult to penetrate, and they have excellent mobility, meaning you will meet them often. The gun is also utterly devastating for the Puma. The high explosive filler and range of shells will make short work of your vehicle. If you encounter an T-34 (any variant), aim for the turret cheeks and take out the gunner. Aiming at the frontal hull armour is unreliable and often results in a ricochet. T-34s are also very, very mobile, so it is best to go for side shots on them if you insist on engaging them.

Shermans also present the problem of sloped frontal armour. The M4A1 isn't as much of an issue, but the M4/M4A2/M4A3 variants are more difficult to penetrate. From the side, Shermans have flat armour and tall profiles. They are easy to destroy when flanked, but they too have exceptionally good mobility, especially cross-country, so they can be even more of a pain to deal with than T-34s. They also have short-stop stabilizers and .50 cals which make them even more of a threat.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • The gun is powerful, fast to reload, and can effectively penetrate armour on the M4's front at 200 m. Its APCR has a penetration of up to 137 mm, which is effective against KV-1
  • Extremely high forward and reverse speeds make it the fastest vehicle on the road; can get to positions quickly or retreat fast
  • Small and narrow frontal profile allows it to hide behind small bushes or rocks; it's also harder to get hit
  • Can be a great scout vehicle in higher ranks due to its fast speed. Even the M18 GMC cannot easily outrun it
  • Only 8 mm side armour, meaning some shells will go straight through without being detonated
  • Has a wide range of good-looking camouflage to unlock. Suitable for almost every terrain/map
  • Has 6 smoke grenades, that create a wide frontal screen when launched; very useful when trying to cover up a general area
  • Surprisingly durable at times, due to inexperienced players shooting at the front, ignoring the crew member lying in the back
  • Gun mantlet is thick and covers most of the turret, which makes the turret surprisingly durable

Cons:

  • Thin armour overall, can get killed by almost anything including artillery strikes, strafing planes and .50 cal M2 Browning
  • Vulnerable to overpressure (HE shells, artillery strikes, bombs, and rockets)
  • Compact crew compartment, will be easily destroyed in one shot
  • Relatively slow turret rotation, combined with the sharp turns at high speed, it is hard to aim
  • Relatively low calibre shells tend to bounce off angled armour, angled hull of the T-34 is almost impossible to penetrate
  • Starts to snake around at high speeds, making it hard to control, needing counter-steering.
  • Sluggish mobility on snowy and desert maps, which takes away its mobility advantage
  • Cannot turn in place due to wheels
  • Hard to control at top speed

History

Development

The blitzkrieg tactics in Poland and France gave the Germans a new appreciation of mobile and lethal reconnaissance vehicles. The Germans especially valued the armoured cars due to their speed, firepower, and their pre-war build-up as they were not restricted by the Versailles Treaty. The Germans started with armoured cars like the Sd.Kfz.231 family, each with different armaments. However, these vehicles had its flaws and in August 1940, Germany sought a replacement following the conclusion of the Battle of France.

The new vehicle was built off an improved Sd.Kfz.232 chassis made in monocoque construction by Büssing-NAG, its armoured body was made by Deutsche Edelstahlwerke, the turret by Daimler-Benz and Schichau, and air-cooled diesel engines by Ringhoffer-Tatra-Werke AG. The monocoque chassis design was built with an eight-wheel steering system, six forward and reverse gears, as well as having an additional driver seat in the rear for quick reversal get-aways. This construction led to Sd.Kfz.234 family. Vehicle construction first started in 1943 as the Sd.Kfz.234/2, which had a turret originally intended for the VK 1602 Leopard mounting a 5 cm L/60 gun, construction continued on this vehicle until mid-1944. The Sd.Kfz.234/2 earned the nickname "Puma" from the soldiers using it.

Production for Sd.Kfz.234/2 shifted towards other armaments in 1944 that replaced the original. This produced variants such as the Sd.Kfz.234/1 which replaced the turret with an open-top one carrying a 2 cm KwK38, this was produced between mid-1944 to early 1945. Right besides that, the Sd.Kfz.234/3 was produced with an open-top structure to mount a 75 mm howitzer, this was produced from mid-1944 until the end of 1944. At the Sd.Kfz.234/3's production end, it was replaced by the Sd.Kfz.234/4, also known as the "Pakwagen", that had the armament replaced by a 7.5 cm PaK40 anti-tank gun. This last variant was produced from the end of 1944 to the capitulation of Germany in World War II. A total of 478 Sd.Kfz.234 armoured cars were produced, 200 of the 234/1, 101 of the 234/2, 88 of the 234/3, and 89 of the 234/4.

Combat usage

The Sd.Kfz.234 cars were originally intended for the conflicts in North Africa. However, the engine development took abnormally long to complete and by the time it was ready, the North African theater had concluded. Nevertheless, they served in the Western and Eastern front with success, but was impeded by its low production count.

The Sd.Kfz. 234/2 variant was arguably the most popular, as the staple of the 234 family. The vehicle served in the Panzer Lehr Division, 1st and 2nd SS Panzer Division, 2nd, 7th, 13th, and 20th Panzer Division. The Sd.Kfz.234 in the recon companies were allocated in 19 or 25 vehicles per division, further split into platoons up to six vehicles and one as the headquarters. However, due to their low production numbers, this allocation was rarely kept in full strength in the war,

The Sd.Kfz.234 first saw combat in Normandy after D-Day in the stationed Panzer Lehr and 2nd Panzer Division in the Sd.Kfz.234/2 variant. The divisions used these vehicles in recon roles until their withdrawal behind the Seine River, with Panzer Lehr having 8 Sd.Kfz.234/2 of the original 26 it had. These divisions were rebuilt in the fall of 1944 with the Sd.Kfz.234/1 and Sd.Kfz.234/3 after the 234/2 ceased production.

Media

Skins
Sights
Images

See also

Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

External links


Germany light tanks
Pz.II  Pz.II C · Pz.II C (DAK) · Pz.II C TD · Pz.II F · Pz.Sfl.Ic
Sd.Kfz.234  Sd.Kfz.234/1 · Sd.Kfz.234/2 · Sd.Kfz.234/2 TD
Marder  Marder A1- · Marder 1A3 · Begleitpanzer 57 · DF105
  PUMA
Wheeled  Sd.Kfz.221 (s.Pz.B.41) · Class 3 (P) · Radkampfwagen 90
Other  Ru 251 · SPz 12-3 LGS
Argentina  TAM · TAM 2C · TAM 2IP · JaPz.K A2
Czechoslovakia  Pz.35(t) · Pz.38(t) A · Pz.38(t) F · Pz.38(t) n.A. · Sd.Kfz. 140/1
France  Pz.Sp.Wg.P204(f) KwK
Lithuania  Vilkas
USA  leKPz M41
USSR  SPz BMP-1